Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Oxfordshire: The STAR Approach

Conducted by Richard Glover – NHS North of England Commissioning Support (NECS), Anita Lightstone and Fran Ramsay – NHS Thames Valley Eye Health Network. With support from Gwyn Bevan – The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Susie Downes – NHS Oxford University Hospitals Trust. Funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust and The Health Foundation.

Hospital services are under great pressure and as this pressure increases, so do the delays experienced by patients in accessing the treatment that can prevent deterioration in their condition – in this case sight loss. Staff morale can also be negatively affected and hospitals struggle to meet targets set out by national guidelines. It is therefore important to think about innovative ways that we can relieve some of the pressure in the system.

This report uses a value-for-money methodology to identify inefficiencies and improvements in care for patients with wet AMD in Oxfordshire. To conduct this research, 30 experts in eye health and sight loss from across Oxfordshire came together at two workshops to map local AMD care, identify associated issues and potential solutions. Participants included patients, carers, consultants, community optometrists, among others.